Quickie Q2 Lite, Construction Manual, Page: 31 / 299

just as the square ply that you are experimenting with does when you pull
on one edge. Plies that distort when cut are easily put back into shape
by pulling on an edge. Rolling or folding cut plies will help keep them
clean and make it easier to maintain their shape. If several plies are
called for, it may help to number them before cutting. Save your clean
scraps and make an effort to use them for smaller plies, If the cloth is
spotted with epoxy, throw it away.
..... When cutting long strips or large pieces of 45degree BID, always
roll or fold it so it keeps its shape when handled. When it's applied, it
can be set on one end of the part and rolled onto it. If you pick up each
end, it will distort and not fit the part properly.
..... The fiber orientation called for in each lamination is important and
shouldn't be ignored. UNI is characterized by the major fiber bundles
running parallel to the selvage and being much larger than the small
cross fibers which run at right angles to the selvage. In BID the cross
fibers are the same size as those running parallel to the selvage, giving
BID an even "checkerboard" appearance. BID is commonly used for plies cut
at 45° to the selvage. Your tailor would call this a "bias" cut. The 45°
cut makes it easy to work wrinkles out of a ply locally, without having
to chase it to the far edge. The 45° cut also makes it possible to make a
ply slightly longer than originally cut by pulling on the ends, or wider
by pulling the sides. The 45° orientation isn't critical; you don't need
to measure it. Your eyeball of a rough diagonal (45° ±10°) is adequate
when either cutting or laying up the cloth.
EPOXY
..... In recent years the term "epoxy" has become a household word.
Unfortunately, "epoxy" is the general term for a vast number of
specialized resin/hardener systems, the same as "aluminum" is a general
term for a whole family of specialized metal alloys. Just as the
"aluminum" pots and pans in your kitchen, the "epoxy" in your Q2 is
vastly different from the hardware store variety.
..... Epoxy is the adhesive matrix that keeps the plies of load-carrying
glass cloth together. Epoxy alone is weak and heavy. It is important to
use it properly so that the full benefits of its adhesive capability are
obtained without unnecessary weight. A large portion of your education in
composite structural work will be spent learning how to get the full
strength of an epoxy/glass mixture with the minimum weight. This section
will discuss the terminology and techniques for working with epoxy resin
and its hardener.
..... An "epoxy system" is made up of a resin and a hardener tailored to
produce a variety of physical and working properties. The mixing of resin
with its hardener causes a chemical reaction called curing_ which changes
the two liquids into a solid. Different epoxy systems produce a wide
variety of solids ranging from extremely hard to very flexible. Epoxy
systems also vary greatly in their working properties, some are very
thick, slow pouring liquids and others are like water. Some epoxy systems
allow hours of working time and others harden almost as fast as they are
mixed. A single type of resin is sometimes used with a variety of
hardeners to obtain a number of different characteristics. In short,
there is no universal epoxy system; each has its own specific purpose and
while it may be the best for one application, it could be the worst
possible in another use.
..... The epoxy systems used in the construction of your Q2 are tailored
for a combination of workability and strength_ as well as to protect the